Press Release for Immediate Release – 24th November 2021
Counties Vision for Enterprise Spaces takes one step forward - Regional Enterprise Transition Scheme approval
Carlow County Council & Carlow Community Enterprise Centres’ Vision for the development of new enterprise spaces in County Carlow took one step forward with the awarding of funding to allow for further development of the proposed new property and enterprise support solutions in Carlow Town and Bagenalstown under the government’s Regional Enterprise Transition Scheme (RETS) Feasibility Funding.
The funding will allow for final technical and business case development of projects earmarked for Carlow and Bagenalstown to make them ready for competitive National Funding pitches in 2022.
Cathaoirleach of Carlow County Council, Cllr. Fintan Phelan said “I am delighted with this approval for funding and that Carlow was selected as one of eighteen projects suitable around the country for further development”. The Cathaoirleach continued to say, “It’s so important that we as a Council prepare shovel ready projects with strong business cases which can then be pitched for National funding. This funding will allow us to bring two catalytic enterprise projects to that stage”. Speaking about the vision for the projects “Subject to National funding delivery of these projects would mean supporting the creation of many jobs and also improve the capability and competitiveness of regional enterprises and encourage entrepreneurial activity to enhance our vibrant SME community."
The project will be carried out in association with Carlow Community Enterprise Centres CLG, a social enterprise which operates Enterprise House on the O’Brien Road in Carlow. Speaking about the project, Kieran Comerford, Head of Economic Development & Enterprise in Carlow County Council said “Collectively the Board of Carlow Community Enterprise Centres and the executive of the Council have been actively working to develop new property and enterprise support solutions for the business community in County Carlow. This project is part of a significant effort to put County Carlow on the map as the location of choice for scaling companies. Comerford continued to say, “with the development of the IDA advance factory on the Dublin Road its important we have a complimentary project for indigenous companies who have the ambition to scale in County Carlow”. Concluding, Comerford said “as a local authority we are taking a similar approach to Project Carlow 2040 in building a vision and team of people from all walks of life who want to support this journey and ensure that County Carlow gains national funding for these flagship projects”.
Speaking about the importance of supported enterprise spaces Seamus Doran, Assistant Head of Economic Development & Enterprise said, “enterprise spaces when developed are embedded solutions for communities and provide a space for training, meeting, networking and specialist services for business leaders”. “We have seen time and time again how creating a network and supporting the development of the County Carlow eco-system will delivery results and we look forward to our continued work on these projects”.
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For further information contact Kieran Comerford on 086-8252037 or e-mail kcomerford@carlowcoco.ie
Photo Caption: Kieran Comerford, Head of Economic Development & Enterprise, Cathaoirleach of Carlow County Council, Cllr. Fintan Phelan, Seamus Doran, Assistant Head of Economic Development & Enterprise
